“Mnn…”

John woke up to a familiar soft sensation on both sides of his arm.

“Ah, that’s right. We exhausted all our energy and fainted.” John said as he looked at his arms.

His left arm was being tightly held by a sleeping Serena, while his right arm was being held by Ariel.

“I’m surprised I managed to fall asleep in this situation…” John muttered as he looked over at the two girls.

Serena’s sleeping face was both beautiful and cute. She had the genes of an elf, after all. A proud race which lives on for hundreds of years and maintains their teenage looks throughout those years. At least that’s what John had read.

“If only you always stayed quiet…” John muttered.

As he said that, John looked over at Ariel. Her sleeping face was adorable. She’s a human, and in most cases people’s looks are above average here compared to his previous world. But her’s were beyond that.

‘Am I being tested? Why do I have these two cute girls each clinging on to one of my arms? I’m a boy, you know… A boy going through puberty. My heart can’t take it…’ John wondered.

Even if John had never had a girlfriend before, or barely talked to girls aside from his cousins. He was still interested in getting one. Although he never really found a crush or fell in love.

There were plenty of beautiful girls in his old school, but none of them made him feel that way. John wondered what it felt like when you do.

“Well, I can think about these things in the future. Right now, what matters the most is surviving and keeping these two safe.” John muttered to himself.

Half an hour later, the two girls woke up

“Hey, John… Me and Ariel were wondering… Could you please set up a bath for us? There are a few cylinders-shaped rocks over there which we could fill with water. It’ll feel like a hot-spring.” Asked Serena.

“Sure,” John straightforwardly said.

“Really?” Asked Serena.

“Yeah, why not? I’d also like to take a shower. Also, while you’re taking a shower, here’s 2 toothbrushes and toothpaste. This is for you and Ariel,” John replied as he pulled them out from his toolbox.

“Why do you have a toothbrush and toothpaste?” Asked Serena.

“Well, I thought we might need them, which is why I also brought a towel and toilet paper,” John replied.

“Of course you did. You’re always prepared.”

‘Why d’you say it with a sarcastic tone’ John thought.

“This is going too smoothly… Wait. You’re not planning on peeping, are you!?” Asked Serena with a surprised expression.

Ariel who overheard made an embarrassed expression.

“Alright, I guess you don’t want to take a shower,” John replied as he began to create his own.

“Wait! Wait! I was joking, I’m sorry.” Said Serena as she pulled his hand.

“It’s fine.” John said as he walked over to their side and began creating a bath.

‘I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested. I want to, but it’s not like I’ll die if I don’t, and it’s not right…’ He thought.

“Is everything okay, join?” Asked Ariel with a worried look as she wiped John’s tear off his face.

‘Close… We’re a hand’s width away from each other. Her small eyes look as if they’re staring right through me’ John thought.

“Y-Yeah, E-Everything’s okay,” John said as he hastily turned his face.

‘T-That was close… Wait, why am I always getting flustered whenever we make eye contact…’

Ariel tilted her head in a confused manner at John’s sudden reaction.

“W-Well, I’m going to go add water and heat up the spring,” John said as he walked off.

Ariel nodded and continued practising her wind control. Whenever she has time, she plays around with the wind. John was glad she enjoys using magic.

Once he reached the rocks, John noticed that Serena was waiting there.

“Hey.” John said as he cast Aqua.

He then began filling the cylinder-shaped rocks with water. When Serena suddenly got closer to him.

“Hey, John. Are you sure you wouldn’t want to peep..? Aren’t boys usually interested in that sort of thing?” Asked Serena.

John didn’t reply to her question. More like he didn’t know what to say.

“Are you, not into girls?” Asked Serena with a surprised expression.

“What? No. I’m straight.” John replied.

“Then do you not find us interesting..?” Asked Serena dejected expression

“It’s not that!” John suddenly replied.

Serena’s expression changed from a dejected one to a surprised one at his sudden reaction. As they stared at each other, face-to-face John continued.

“So you are?” Asked Serena.

“Argh… Fine, Yes I am. Are you happy? What kind of guy wouldn’t want to peep at two cute girls taking a shower? Now stop asking, you’re ruining my innocent mind,” He straightforwardly said.

Serena who didn’t expect this coming, felt embarrassed. Her cheeks were bright red as she said, “I-I see…” as she stared at him.

John did not expect her reaction at all. His heart once again began beating even faster as they looked at each other. And he could feel his cheeks turning red as he looked away. And tried focusing on heating up the water.

Seeing this, Serena slowly and quietly got up without saying anything and walked towards Ariel’s direction, before she turned around and called his name.

“John.” Said Serena.

“What?” John asked as he turned around, still embarrassed from what he had just said.

“You’re a Pervert.” Said Serena as she showed him a cute, mischievous smile while she blushed.

“Wha-” He said as his face showed an, even more, embarrassed expression.

Before John could say anything, she turned around and headed towards Ariel and practiced with her.

‘First Ariel, now Serena… Stop messing with my feelings!’ John internally shouted.

***

The showers were finally ready. John called the girls over and made an Ice Wall, which split the sides so that they wouldn’t complain or accuse him of peeping.

“Ah… It feels nice…” John let out as he entered the spring of water that he had made.

It was just the right temperature and felt amazing. It was heated up by John, after all. As he indulged in the relaxing sensation of the spring, he overheard a few things.

“Ahh… this is bliss…” Said Serena.

“Yeah… It’s warm.” Muttered Ariel as she got in.

“Is everything okay, ariel?” Asked Serena.

“E-Everything’s fine…” she replied.

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Serena… S-Stop… it’s ticklish…” Said Ariel as she started laughing.

“Call me Bi-g-sis-ter” Said Serena as she continued to play around with Ariel.

“Okay, Okay! Big sister, S-Stop, hahaha” Said Ariel as she continued laughing.

“Then tell me what’s wrong, sisters help each other.” Said Serena.

“O-Okay, Stop, hahaha,” Said Ariel.

Serena seemed to have stopped as Ariel began panting for air shortly after she said that.

“I’m just not sure… It’s just… We’re stuck in this dungeon and we don’t know what might happen. Also John… He’s always so reckless even though he knows it’s dangerous…” Muttered Ariel.

“Reckless is too much, more like brave… Even if he doesn’t show it, John has been afraid of the monsters quite a few times. I noticed this as I watched him.” Serena replied.

‘She noticed..?’ John heard.

“There are times where he’s trembling, sweating nervously or stuttering as he gives directions. I’m sure you’ve noticed too, right?” Asked Serena.

‘Ah… Stop, please stop. This is too embarrassing…’ John thought.

“Yeah… So then why? If he’s scared why does he take the lead?” Asked Ariel.

“Cause he’s a jerk, and he’s overprotective!” Said Serena.

‘Haha, of course you want to be me.’ John thought.

“Pfff, that’s right. John is overprotective.” Said Ariel as she held back her laugh.

“I know right. He’s being cautious because he cares about us and doesn’t want us in danger but he worries too much, who does he think he is our dad?” Asked Serena.

“That’s true, he’s always worrying about us. But you know… I like that part of him… He helped me, someone who lost everything and took me on an adventurer with him. John is too kind… What do you think, serene?” Asked Ariel.

‘Like? Ariel likes me? No wait, she said that part about me, which means it might not be me, which means… I’m just imagining it… Y-Yeah, she said part, doesn’t mean me. Wait, why am I panicking?’ John wondered in his sea of thoughts.

“W-Well, I-I Guess I don’t dislike that part of him… But he’s too kind! He needs to be more selfish and look more intimidating. His looks are completely contradictory to his strength, he always has that innocent and fragile look on his face when he’s not fighting.” Said Serena.

‘Dislike… I guess that means she doesn’t hate me.’ John thought.

“Even though I thought a breeze could blow him over when I first saw him. But he was unexpectedly super strong!” Said Serena.

“I know right! John is super strong! But he can sometimes be arrogant thinking things will go the way he plans, which makes him do even more reckless things.” Replied Ariel.

“Which is why as his party members…” Said Serena.

“We have to help him.” Carried on Ariel.

“Yeah.” Said Serena.

“By the way Serena, you were tickling me earlier, weren’t you? Then it’s my turn!” Said Ariel.

“W-Wait, Pfff, Ariel! Hahaha, I’m not good at, Pfff, hahaha, I-I can’t breathe!” Said, Serena.

…

“No matter what, I’ll get us out of here safely… I promise.” John muttered to himself.

***

After the showers. John sat by where he had formed the ice Sphere and waited for Serena and Ariel.

“John, the shower felt great. I knew we could count on you.” Said Serena as she sat beside him.

Ariel’s face was bright red as she got out of the shower with Serena. Thanks to the wall, John couldn’t see what was happening, but he could hear it.

“Yeah, no problem,” John said as he remained on the ground.

“Your face is bright red. Did you spend too much time in the water?” Asked Ariel as she placed her hand on John’s forehead.

“I-I’m good. I just ended up putting my head underwater for too long.” John replied.

“Eh? Why..?” Asked Ariel as she also sat beside him.

“He was probably practising some sort of magic?” Said Serena.

“I guess…” John replied.

“I-I see… That’s dangerous, so please be more careful next time.” Said Ariel.

“Alright, I will, anyway.. Let’s eat and get some rest,” John said as he pulled out 3 lunch boxes from the toolbox.